GAME REVIEW: Raptors vs Kings [Jan 25]
FINAL SCORE: TOR 113, Sac 97
Game Info
Since the Raptors [18-28] have adopted a variation of the 8-Man Rotation that was first advocated by this corner during the off season:
* Raptors’ line-up … tough enough [or not], September 8, 2008
* The next step for the Toronto Raptors, July 1, 2008
STARTERS
PG - Calderon; OG - Parker; SF - Moon; PF - Bargnani; C - Bosh
KEY BENCH SUBS
PG - Parker; OG - Kapono; SF - Graham; PF/C - O’Neal
which [i] utilizes a versatile veteran player like Anthony Parker in the role of principal Back-up PG, to Jose Calderon, [ii] shifts Jermaine O’Neal to the bench, as a Back-up Big, in relief of Chris Bosh [C] and Andrea Bargnani [PF]; and, [iii] keeps at least one of Jamario Moon [SF/OG] or Joey Graham [SF/OG] on the floor, at all times, in their proper positions
… the Dinos are 2-0.
What’s the reason for this?
Although victories against the imploding Bulls [Fri Jan 23] and the down-trodden Kings should never be confused with putting up a meaningful W against a High End Team in the NBA, there are instructive lessons to be learned from a game like last night’s:
|
PLAYER |
MP |
RB |
AST |
TO |
PTS |
|
POINT GUARDS |
|||||
|
Calderon Parker Ukic Solomon |
27:22 12:04 06:45 01:49 |
1 2 1 0 |
8 2 0 0 |
0 1 0 0 |
16 4 5 2 |
|
SUB-TOTAL |
4 |
10 |
1 |
27 |
|
|
WINGS |
|||||
|
Parker Moon Graham Kapono |
26:48 17:42 30:18 21:12 |
5 2 6 0 |
5 1 1 1 |
2 0 1 0 |
7 5 4 4 |
|
SUB-TOTAL |
13 |
8 |
3 |
20 |
|
|
BIGS |
|||||
|
Bosh Bargnani O’Neal Voskuhl |
37:30 32:35 22:17 01:49 |
8 7 10 1 |
1 0 2 0 |
4 2 3 0 |
31 24 11 0 |
|
SUB-TOTAL |
26 |
3 |
9 |
66 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAPTORS TOTAL |
43 |
21 |
13 |
113 |
|
|
KINGS TOTAL |
32 |
20 |
12 |
97 |
|
|
Raptors Comparison |
+11 |
+1 |
-1 |
+16 |
|
When the Raptors’ PG rotation limits their TO’s to only 1 per game, and emphasizes the useful size this team can now put on the floor … at each of the five positions … the Raptors become a solid team in the Eastern Conference, fueled by the Interior scoring of Chris Bosh, the Perimeter scoring of Andrea Bargnani & Jose Calderon, and the COLLECTIVE REBOUNDING ABILITIES of Chris Bosh [B], Andrea Bargnani [B], Jermaine O’Neal [B], Jamario Moon [W], Joey Graham [W], and Anthony Parker [W & PG].
=======================
Despite the difficult start the Raptors have had this season, thus far, what Bryan Colangelo [President/GM] needs to do right now with THIS team … which is playing THIS way, with THIS line-up … is sit tight, refrain from making any major trades and, then, pick-up 2 additional young rotation players in the 2009 NBA Draft, as a positive step towards gradually building a High End Team in the NBA.
———-
PLEASE NOTE:
Those vocal members of the on-line community who could not SEE - before the fact - how it would be possible for a player like Anthony Parker to succeed as a high calibre Back-up PG, in the NBA, need to re-evaluate their level of expertise. 
Tags: Andrea Bargnani, Anthony Parker, Chris Bosh, Jamario Moon, Jason Kapono, Jermaine O'Neal, Joey Graham, Jose Calderon, Roko Ukic, Will Solomon
January 27th, 2009 at 12:00 pm
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January 27th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
I’m not going to lie. I didn’t see how AP could be so productive as our backup 1. It’s been a pleasant surprise and I have to give you props for predicting it.
However, I’m not sure why you refer to Bosh as our center. Bargnani might be a perimeter-oriented offensive player, but I think he’s been more of a 5 since he typically defends the bigger, more post-oriented players on opposing teams. The only “center-ish” thing Bosh does is take the tip-off.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
When is the Marion for O’Neal trade going to happen? Marion could be a big boost to the Raptors and even if he’s not, he comes off the books much sooner.
I added you to my blog roll from before.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Chutney,
The specific answer to your question is this …
In general, I do not pay attention to what other on-line voices say about the respective positions which NBA players occupy on their teams because most of the individuals who are vocal in this way do not know what they are talking about, in this regard.
re: my take on Chris Bosh
I’d suggest reading this blog entry and clicking on each of the included links.
At some point in the not too distant future, I should be doing a similar assessment of Andrea Bargnani.
Until then, however … know that I think he is a higly serviceable NBA player with a Big Body who is most comfortable checking a Power-Based Big, on the defensive end of the floor, while playing as a spot-up Perimeter Shooter, on offense … but that he is not the type of player which a TOP NOTCH team can build around, as its CENTRAL HUB, in terms of Offense, Defense and Rebounding.
For the Raptors … Chris Bosh is the player who fills this bill.
January 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Bettor’s Edge,
I will add you likewise, asap!
————————————
re: the Marion for O’Neal deal
From a Raptors’ perspective … the answer to that question should be, “Never.”